Experience of rehabilitation for Guillain-Barré syndrome during and after pregnancy: a case study

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in pregnancy is very rare, and there is no detailed description of rehabilitation in the literature. We report a case of GBS involving a pregnant, 34-year-old woman.

She was diagnosed with Hughes grade 5 GBS during the 20th week of gestation (GW). Almost all basic motions showed total dependence. The motor functional independence measure (motor FIM) score was 31. We developed a training programme that considered the pregnancy-associated increase in her weight.

At the 34th GW, her transfer activity became independent and she began gait training. At the 37th GW, she delivered a healthy baby spontaneously. She nursed her baby independently using a sling. After the motor FIM improved to 84, the mother and infant were discharged together 5 weeks after delivery and home-visit rehabilitation was performed while using a baby-sitter. One month after discharge, she became able to walk alone over a short distance. Finally, her endurance improved, facilitating her return to office work 15 months after discharge.

We are following the patient, providing training in the movements needed for child care and suggesting environmental improvements for the mother and infant. As a result, her recovery from disability has been promoted.